RuPaul's Drag Race and the Cultural Politics of Fame

This edited collection explores the connections between drag stardom and contemporary sexual and cultural politics in the RuPauls Drag Race franchise. With Drag Race alumni achieving fame in music, fashion, theatre, and beyond, the book interrogates the relationships between gender, sexuality, performance, identity, and celebrity culture at the heart of the show. RuPaul's Drag Race has become a global phenomenon, broadcasting drag into the homes of middle America and spawning spin-off shows and an ever-expanding international franchise. The show celebrates glamour, artifice, and the labor of fame, and its alumni have gone on to become globally famous. This book will be a valuable resource for academics, researchers, and advanced students of media and cultural studies, gender studies, performing arts, media and film studies, communication studies, and sociology.

Format: Hardback
Length: 114 pages
Publication date: 10 October 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

RuPaul's Drag Race has become a global phenomenon, winning 26 Emmys and captivating audiences worldwide. The show's success has made global stars of its host, guest judges, and contestants, including Adore Delano, Sharon Needles, Violet Chachki, and Jinkx Monsoon. In 2017, RuPaul was named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People. At its core, RuPaul's Drag Race is a celebration of glamour, artifice, and the labor of fame. While the show has already attracted scholarly attention, the relationships between gender, sexuality, performance, identity, and celebrity culture that lie at the heart of its dynamic and appeal remain to be explored.

This edited collection, RuPauls Drag Race and the Cultural Politics of Fame, aims to address this gap. It brings together leading scholars and researchers from various fields to examine the intersections of drag stardom, sexuality, and culture in the context of RuPaul's Drag Race. The book explores the ways in which the show challenges and subverts traditional gender and sexual norms, as well as how it contributes to the broader discourse on gender, sexuality, and identity.

One of the key themes of the book is the impact of RuPaul's Drag Race on the representation of LGBTQ+ individuals and communities. The show has provided a platform for drag performers to showcase their talent and creativity, challenging stereotypes and promoting acceptance and understanding. Through its diverse cast of contestants, RuPaul's Drag Race has challenged the notion of binary gender and promoted the idea of fluidity and non-conformity.

Another theme of the book is the relationship between drag stardom and celebrity culture. RuPaul's Drag Race has become a cultural institution, with its contestants and alumni achieving fame and recognition in fields such as music, fashion, theater, and beyond. The show has blurred the lines between reality television and traditional celebrity culture, as its contestants are often treated as celebrities in their own right.

The book also examines the political implications of RuPaul's Drag Race. The show has been used as a tool for activism and social change, with contestants and alumni using their platform to raise awareness about issues such as gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and mental health. RuPaul's Drag Race has also been criticized for perpetuating harmful stereotypes and promoting toxic masculinity.

In conclusion, RuPaul's Drag Race and the Cultural Politics of Fame is a vital resource for academics, researchers, and advanced students of Media and Cultural Studies, Gender Studies, Performing Arts, and Media. The book offers a comprehensive analysis of the connections between drag stardom, sexuality, and culture in the context of RuPaul's Drag Race, providing insights into the show's impact on society and its contribution to the broader discourse on gender, sexuality, and identity.

Weight: 385g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032573175